help

Congrats on entering the world of private recording

Now, it's kinda hard to help if we don't know what you're using to make/do/record your stuff, and without a sound sample, the well into which you've thrown us just gets deeper!

Firstly, Pro Tools is a great DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) favored by many around here. It's really powerful and easy to use - I don't have access to it, so someone else may be able to help you with Pro Tools specific things. That said, I'm pretty sure (correct me if I'm wrong) that Pro Tools does include some way to master your tracks, however rudimentary. Personally, I use Adobe Soundbooth to master, but mastering software preference varies wildly from person to person as there are so many simple .wav editors out there. Maybe the thing to do would be to get some good monitors if you don't already have some and hold out for Ozone until you are sure that it is exactly the software that will fulfill your needs.

Mixing is a cruel art; tricky for some and easy for others. Being a skilled listener is an important factor, and being able to do your mixes on competent hardware is another.

So, here are a few general things that I (and others) have picked up about the recording process that may help you.

1. Tracking the same part multiple times is a must for a thick, room-filling sound. Don't skimp on the meat and bones!

2. Joey has said before that he likes to have tracks that are recorded at least 15db below the clip point. The general rule of thumb is to include as much information during recording as you can (read; not clipping) and then bring the levels up during the mixing and mastering process.

3. Messing with adding some simple reverb to your sound can take you a long way. Music, as performed, is generally pumped out into a room.

4. Take the time to perfect your tracks before committing them to your DAW. Crappy music will stay crappy music. Make sure you always use a click track to make certain that you are absolutely synchronized.

5. Be sure to give the listener some sort of dynamic contrast! The beautiful swells of any one of John Williams' epic movie scores is much more meaningful than Metallica's Death Magnetic, certainly in my opinion. Check this out for more details.

I'm sure you've seen these by now; Joey's online book and JohnnyShnizz's video tutorials. Great stuff there.

Best of luck mate! Keep up the hard work and we're looking forward to hearing something from you soon!